Businessman denies fly-tipping 27 tonnes of waste

The 27-tonne mound of rubbish was dumped in January and blocked Watery Lane, Lichfield

A businessman has denied dumping 27 tonnes of waste that blocked a road in Staffordshire.

Darren Sheen, 40, from Uttoxeter, and his firm Fusion Engineering (Staffordshire) Limited pleaded not guilty to multiple charges at Stafford Crown Court earlier.

The case relates to a fly-tipping incident on Watery Lane, Lichfield, which was blocked by a rubbish pile measuring 15m (50 ft) in length and 2m (6.5 ft) in height at about 23:00 GMT on 19 January.

The charges include depositing waste and obstructing a highway, while Mr Sheen is also accused of dangerous driving.

Darren Sheen (pictured here at an earlier hearing) pleaded not guilty to the charges on Wednesday

The case was brought by Lichfield District Council, which began an investigation after the waste was dumped and contractors had to use a digger to clear the road.

Wearing a dark blue shirt and a tie, Mr Sheen confirmed his not guilty pleas before he was granted unconditional bail until a trial to be held in March 2027.